The Department of Community Development (DCD) is set to launch the second activation of ‘Where Life Pulses’ initiative in Zakher district, in Al Ain. Taking place from 1 to 3 May, this event is part of DCD’s ongoing efforts to bring residential neighborhoods to life and turn them into vibrant platforms radiating with community engagement and interaction.
The Zakher activations carry forward the initiative’s mission to empower children and youth in the field of entrepreneurship by providing an enabling environment for them to manage their own projects, supported by their families and the local community. This opportunity does not only bolster their practical skills and self-confidence, but also contributes to nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit, fostering cohesion among residents, instilling a sense of belonging, and ultimately turning neighborhoods into spaces inspiring communication and collaboration.
The event offers a comprehensive community platform dedicated to empowering participants to explore their potential and sharpen their skills. It features two main activations: ‘From Our Home’, a platform inviting children aged three to eight to display and sell their products and creations crafted with their families’ support, and ‘The Pioneers’, providing a space for youth aged nine to 21 to manage their emerging projects and offer their services. This platform is complemented by specialized workshops focusing on entrepreneurship, life skills, and innovation.
His Excellency Mohammed Hilal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Community Engagement and Social Empowerment Sector at DCD, affirmed that the Zakher activation is a natural translation of the initiative’s objectives aimed at community empowerment, stating: “Through ‘Where Life Pulses’, we seek to elevate neighborhoods for them to become vibrant spaces supporting community interaction and enabling youth and children to pioneer their own entrepreneurial experiences. In fact, the Zakher stop reflects our commitment to broadening our impact within the community, reinforcing the vision that every platform is a space for connection, creativity, and cohesion.”
He further stated: “This initiative contributes to reinforcing community cohesion through engaging families and the local community as active partners. By offering a supporting space to translate youth’s ideas into concrete projects, it contributes to fostering quality of life and guaranteeing a decent life for all.”
Fatema Abdulrahman Al Hosani, Director of the Social Cohesion Sector at DCD, noted that the Zakher stop serves as a great opportunity to strengthen social bonds. She stated: “Through this stop, we continue establishing community spaces that bring individuals closer. In reality, we were able to detect this initiative’s profound impact in bolstering familial bonds and nurturing a sense of responsibility and belonging among the youth. When it comes to Zakher, we seek to amplify this impact, ensuring it reaches an even broader segment of the community.”
Al Hosani resumed: “This initiative underscores the efforts deployed by the social sector in creating interactive spaces for community members within residential neighborhoods. It also reiterates the roles integration between government entities and their partners in elevating quality of life and promoting community participation, supporting a stronger, more resilient, and cohesive community.”
‘Where Life Pulses’ is delivered in collaboration with several strategic partners, namely the Department of Municipalities and Tourism (DMT), represented by the Municipal Presence Centre, Abu Dhabi Department of Knowledge and Education (ADEK), Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED), Khalifa Fund, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), among other entities and institutions. This partnership reflects consolidated efforts to optimize impact within the community and enable neighborhoods as a central community development axis.
DCD invites all families and young people in Zakher and surrounding areas to attend the activation and participate in its diverse activities. The Department further reiterates that taking part in ‘Where Life Pulses’ significantly contributes to animating neighborhoods and enhancing quality of life therein, where this activation forms part of the initiative’s plan to continue its journey through various stations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain throughout the year.